RAF Stenigot Radar Dishes, England

The RAF Stenigot Radar Dishes, Lincolnshire were built in the 1950’s. This Royal Air Force Radar Station commenced operations in 1938. Decommissioning started in the early 1990’s. At this time new forms of communication technology rendered this station obsolete. Around 120 people would have been employed at this site when it was operational.

The 60ft diameter dishes would have been supported by steel frames. When the site was decommissioned, most of the base was demolished. The supporting frames were removed during the late 1990’s.

Demolition of three of the RAF Stenigot radar dishes – October 2018

Originally there were 4 radar dishes at RAF Stenigot. However, this was not the case when we visited the site on 14th October 2018. We arrived to find 3 dishes and the mangled wreckage of the 4th dish laying on the grass. There were fresh heavy machinery tracks on the surrounding land.

On the evening of 15th October, I received a photograph via social media messaging. The attached image showed only one dish standing. At this point the leg struts of one other dish were still standing. Subsequently these disappeared over the next few days.

The local council investigated this un-sanctioned demolition. A local construction firm “chopped up” these relics and sent to the scrapyard.

The future of the single remaining dish remains uncertain.

History of RAF Stenigot

World War Two Chain Home Station

The RAF base at this site had existed since the 1930’s, and was originally part of Britain’s communication network to detect incoming German bombers during World War Two. The base was originally a “Chain Home Station”; providing early warnings to Sheffield, Nottingham and the central Midlands on incoming enemy aircraft. This advanced system was the first early warning radar network in the world. This radar system watched the coastline of Britannia, detecting and tracking incoming aircraft from Germany. By the end of the war there were over forty stations included in the Chain Home Network. The radar station was pivotal during the crucial Battle of Britain.

Cold War ACE High Communication Relay Station

After the Second World War, RAF Stenigot continued to operate and played a part in the Cold War. This time the site was part of the “ACE High” radio communication system. The radar dishes were added at this time. They flanked a relay station which was added inside the base compound. Two dishes faced north, to pass signals towards the next relay station in Northumberland. The southern dishes sent information to Kent, the nearest southern relay in the network.